Observatory Hill (also known as Perry North) is a neighborhood in the north-central section of Pittsburgh's North Side. It occupies a hilltop area between I-279 to the east and Riverview Park to the west. It's a pleasant neighborhood full of tree-lined brick streets and stately mansions... though there's a touch of decay here and there. The neighborhood takes its name from the Allegheny Observatory, located in Riverview Park.
Observatory Hill is the narrow area between the interstate highway to the right and Riverview Park to the left... you can see the Observatory in the park
looking at Riverview Ave... a residential boulevaurd leading to Riverview Park...
a really crappy photo of the view of Downtown skyscrapers peaking over the ridge from Riverview Park
a trail in the heavily wooded Riverview Park
the Allegheny Observatory was built in 1912 and is part of the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh. It searches for extrasolar planets.
the northwestern part of the neighborhood is really backwoods
some decay
some topography... the semi-famous Green Tree water tower waaaay in the background
I had some issues with the long-range photography... oh well... you get the idea... skyscrapers looming behind the Observatory
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
I love this style of house
I love it when houses are elevated from the street
someday I hope to have a gargoyle of my very own
Pittsburgh is a dense city... but it's also a heavily wooded city... deer are a common sight in many areas only a few minutes from downtown
there's a few rows here and there
Perry Traditional Academy... home of the Commodores (an homage to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry... hero of the Battle of Lake Erie)
a couple narrow buildings
Observatory Hill's small business district could use some help... though it is does have a few gems like Mandy's Pizza
took a walk up Blue Belle St.
Observatory with Mt. Washington condos in the distance
I love this shot
you knew I just had to find some wacky skyline angles
there are so many "almost" skyline views in Pittsburgh... what could be awesome, unique views... obscured by branches or power lines...
chasing blue skies
staircases are always fun
Summer Hill in the distance
amidst the opulence of its surroundings... an abandoned row
one of several twisty roads leading down the hill to I-279
I really like this cliffside apt. building
another "paper" street
Perrysville Ave. is the main drag through Observatory Hill... it's a broad curvy thoroughfare with mansions high above the street facing the woods of Riverview Park
I've always liked this area. I used to take long bike rides up to this neighborhood all the time. I agree that some decay has been creeping in, which is too bad because it really is a beautiful neighborhood clinging to the hillsides.
I think I'll take a ride up there tomorrow and maybe stop at the Commodore Cafe.
One thing that amazes me: for all of these Pitt photo threads, and all of their occupied housing, how is Pitt projected to be losing population so quickly?
Is the household size in a steep decline, leading to more rehabilitated housing with fewer residents per structure?
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You came within a block of my house a couple of times there. The Observatory Hill business district does need help. My neighbors and I are talking about opening a coffee shop, so hopefully it moves beyond the talking stage.
You came within a block of my house a couple of times there. The Observatory Hill business district does need help. My neighbors and I are talking about opening a coffee shop, so hopefully it moves beyond the talking stage.
I was really surprised Observatory Hill doesn't have a coffee shop (at least from what I saw)... it would be the perfect neighborhood for one (much like The Vault in Brighton Heights)... good luck with your endeavor! btw, forumer hyperion1110 is also from Observatory Hill
The hills make for some interesting settings, and the homes aren't too shabby either.
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Excellent work, Evergrey. Observatory Hill really is a gem.
I think Riverview Park is really underrated compared to the other major urban parks in Pittsburgh. Everytime I wonder through it, I discover new trails.
If anyone gets the chance, they should tour the Allegheny Observatory. The facility is amazing, for both its historical and scientific value. If memory serves, it is home to the Thaw Refractor, which is the largest of its kind. Also, for telescope buffs, John Brashear is buried in the observatory: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brashear
Yeah, great set of photos! I forgot to say that earlier, I was still in mild shock to see my neighborhood here. It looks like you walked down Radium St. Did you go up to the Reservoir Parklet, where the TV towers are? It's a little bit of wilderness apart from Riverview Park. During warmer weather, I'm guaranteed to have a deer jump out on the trail ahead of me.
Also- Skip Mandy's Pizza. A neighborhood secret is the pizza at The Commodore/Mr. Bill's across the street. It's among the best pizza in Pittsburgh, in my opinion.
Very colorful neighborhood!! Pittsburgh's houses look very similar to the ones in Kansas City with the exception of rowhouses which KC has very few or none!! Thanks for the tour!!
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Pittsburgh's houses look very similar to the ones in Kansas City with the exception of rowhouses which KC has very few or none!! Thanks for the tour!!
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